Cambridge International AS & A Level Geography (9696)
Investigate physical and human environments, geographical processes and the causes and consequences of change.
2025–2026 examinations
Course structure and assessment routes
- AS: Papers 1 and 2 covering all Core physical and human topics.
- A Level: add Papers 3 and 4, choosing two advanced physical and two advanced human options. Take all four papers together or follow the staged AS-to-A-Level route.
Main syllabus content
- Core physical: hydrology, atmosphere and weather, rocks and weathering
- Core human: population, migration and settlement
- Advanced physical options: tropical, coastal, hazardous, hot arid/semi-arid environments
- Advanced human options: production, environmental management, global interdependence, economic transition
Use Syllabus for the topic checklist. Where the qualification offers options, follow your chosen route rather than treating every option as compulsory.
9696 assessment structure
Use the route above to identify which components you take. Marks below are raw marks; the stated weightings determine their contribution to the award.
Paper 1
Core Physical Geography
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Paper 2
Core Human Geography
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 50% AS / 25% A Level
Paper 3
Advanced Physical Geography Options
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 25% A Level
Paper 4
Advanced Human Geography Options
- Duration
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Marks
- 60
- Weighting
- 25% A Level
Key assessment information
- All components are externally assessed. Core names the AS content, not an easier tier. This overview is specifically for the 2025–2026 syllabus.
Official sources and verification
Checked 2026-09-04 against the official 9696 syllabus/specification (PDF). 2025–2026 examinations.
Source PDF pages: 11, 12, 13, 14. PDF page positions may differ from printed page numbers.
IGCSEfy is an independent study aid. Check the full official document and your exam-paper instructions, especially exam-year options, equipment and centre arrangements. Older archive papers may follow an earlier syllabus.